Soroptimist groups offers ‘Women’s Opportunity Awards’

Soroptimist International clubs of Hood River and Mt. Adams are looking for Gorge-area women heads of households to receive one of four $1,500 Women’s Opportunity Awards from the clubs. Applications are now available and are due back by Dec. 1.

Applications are available at the Hood River County Library, the White Salmon Library or online at soroptimisthoodriver.com.

For more information about the award or about local Soroptimist clubs, contact Dougherty at 541-386-3850 or kated@gorge.net.

Women’s Opportunity Awards provide help for women with dependents who have primary financial responsibility for their households, whether as single parents or married. The award’s purpose is to help further their education as a means to improving their lives.

The Women’s Opportunity Award is not a scholarship; the funds may be used for any educational expenses, including tuition, childcare, transportation or textbooks. To be eligible for the award, applicants must be enrolled or accepted in a college or vocational school program.

“This award is the result of local fundraising dollars helping local women,” says Soroptimist committee chair Kate Dougherty. “The community has generously supported our fundraising efforts such as Luna Fest film festival, Wine, Women and Wow and the Harvest Fest Quilt raffle during the last year.

“These dollars are now available to women who are working to make a better life for themselves and their families. We look forward to hearing from them.”

A previous Hood River recipient stated, “This money opened the doors for me to start over and make my dream of going back to school come true. My children’s lives are better and I am a more valuable, educated employee in the work force.”

Soroptimist is an international women’s service organization whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls in our local communities and throughout the world.

To learn more about Soroptimist as an organization visit soroptimistinternational.org.